2015 Harris County shooting

Familicide in Texas, U.S. the familicide that occurred near Houston the familicide that occurred near Spring, Texas 2014 Harris County shooting December 2025 February 2025 2015 Harris County shooting Mugshot of Conley after his arrest. Harris County, Texas, U.S. 29.9198 -95.4519 type:event_region:US-TX inline,title 2015 08 08 10:30 a.m. c. 9:00 p.m. CDT; UTC−05:00 Mass shooting mass murder familicide pedicide filicide home invasion shootout 8 0 David Ray Conley III 9mm semi-automatic pistol Dispute with ex-girlfriend On August 8, 2015, a mass shooting occurred inside a home in northern Harris County, Texas, near Houston. David Ray Conley III, 48, broke into his former home and held hostage Valerie and Dwayne Jackson, Sr., along with six children, including his own 13-year-old son. Over the course of nine hours, he shot and killed the entire family. He then engaged in a shootout with responding police before surrendering.Police: Changed locks led suspect to break in, kill 8 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/09/eight-killed-houston-suburb/31366827/ USA Today August 9, 2015 "Doctors at the scene of the 2200 block of Falling Oaks, near Veterans Memorial and Fallbrook Drive, said all eight victims suffered gunshot wounds to the head and died at the scene. August 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150809081424/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/09/eight-killed-houston-suburb/31366827/ live Shooting At around 10:30 a.m., Conley reportedly arrived at a house in the 2200 block of Falling Oaks Road, in unincorporated northern Harris County, Texas, near Houston.http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Annexation/docs_pdfs/etj_city_11x8.pdf City of Houston/ETJ City of Houston November 14, 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130310130959/http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Annexation/docs_pdfs/etj_city_11x8.pdf March 10, 2013 - According to the map, the 2200 block of Falling Oaks is in the northern area, inside Beltway 8, west of Tomball Parkway/West Montgomery, north of State Highway 249, and west of Veterans Memorial Road. This area is shaded gray, for areas not in the City of Houston.http://www.hcsonews.com/hcso-statement-from-sheriff-ron-hickman/ HCSO: Statement from Sheriff Ron Hickman Harris County Sheriff's Office August 18, 2015 November 14, 2015 Our department grieves, along with the citizens of our community, the senseless loss of life on August the 8th at the home located on Falling Oaks Road in North Harris County. November 17, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015516/http://www.hcsonews.com/hcso-statement-from-sheriff-ron-hickman/ dead This was the home of his former girlfriend, Valerie Jackson, where he had previously lived with her. As Jackson had changed the locks on the house, he entered through an unlocked window. He then confronted Jackson, her husband, and their six children with a 9mm handgun, forcing them to the master bedroom. There, he tied up some and handcuffed others to the bed. While Conley was distracted, Jackson was able to text her mother, saying she was being held at gunpoint by him. Afterwards, over the course of nine hours, he shot Jackson's husband and children in the back of the head, with Jackson being forced to witness everything. She was the last victim to be shot.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/08/09/houston-police-discover-bodies-of-5-children-3-adults-in-home-after-standoff/ Houston man accused of killing 6 children, 2 adults before standoff with police Peter Holley The Washington Post August 9, 2015 August 9, 2015 August 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150809190839/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/08/09/houston-police-discover-bodies-of-5-children-3-adults-in-home-after-standoff/ livehttp://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/DA-no-brainer-on-seeking-death-penalty-for-6435167.php DA: 'no-brainer' on seeking death penalty for mass shooting suspect Brian Rogers Dane Schiller Houston Chronicle August 10, 2015 August 10, 2015http://www.khou.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/09/multiple-people-killed--home--falling-oaks--n-harris-county/31366765/ Suspect charged with capital murder of 6 kids, 2 adults KHOU August 9, 2015 August 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150809081422/http://www.khou.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/09/multiple-people-killed--home--falling-oaks--n-harris-county/31366765/ August 9, 2015 dead During the course of the shooting, police officers were sent to the home several times to perform welfare checks. The first occurred at 10:42 a.m., when dispatchers were notified by Jackson's mother. They knocked on the door and checked the house, but reported no response from the home an hour later. They returned to the home twice in the afternoon after being alerted by Jackson's siblings, but they never received any responses during both visits. It was not made clear if officers attempted to obtain a search warrant that would have allowed them to make a forced entry into the home.http://www.houstonpress.com/news/harris-county-sheriffs-office-releases-timeline-of-response-to-saturdays-mass-murder-7671316 Meagan Flynn Harris County Sheriff's Office Releases Timeline of Response to Saturday's Mass Murder Houston Press August 13, 2015 August 16, 2015 August 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150815080009/http://www.houstonpress.com/news/harris-county-sheriffs-office-releases-timeline-of-response-to-saturdays-mass-murder-7671316 live At about 6:00 p.m., while performing a fourth welfare check, the officers obtained information that a man inside was wanted on a warrant. They then began circling the perimeter and spotted a dead body from a window. Four police officers forced their way into the home at around 8:00 p.m., which prompted the suspect to begin firing on them. The officers retreated and waited for backup to arrive; Conley surrendered an hour later.6 children, 2 adults found dead inside Texas home after standoff, police say http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/08/09/5-children-3-adults-found-dead-inside-texas-home-after-standoff-police-say/ FOX News August 9, 2015 August 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150809121231/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/08/09/5-children-3-adults-found-dead-inside-texas-home-after-standoff-police-say/ live Conley discharged his 9mm pistol at least 34 times during the shooting."Almost 3 dozen bullets shot at home where family of 8 killed" https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Almost-3-dozen-bullets-shot-at-home-where-family-6520231.php Victims Six children and two adults were killed in the shooting, all of them dying at the scene from gunshot wounds to the head. Some of them were shot multiple times. Initial reports indicated five children and three adults were killed. They were identified as:Police: Man who killed 8 had a dispute with woman victim https://news.yahoo.com/texas-police-5-children-3-adults-found-dead-110223005.html August 9, 2015 Yahoo! News August 9, 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150809164520/https://news.yahoo.com/texas-police-5-children-3-adults-found-dead-110223005.html August 9, 2015Houston shooting: Man who killed 8 had a fight with female victim http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/08/houston_shooting_man_who_kille.html August 9, 2015 The Times-Picayune August 9, 2015 Valerie Ann Jackson (40) Dwayne Clifford Jackson, Sr. (50) Nathaniel Nicholas Conley (13) Honesty Faith Jackson (11) Dwayne Clifford Jackson, Jr. (10) Caleb Curtis Jackson (9) Trinity Hope Jackson (7) Jonah Curtis Jackson (6) On August 17, a service for the victims was held at Fallbrook Church in northwest Houston and was attended by about 200 people.Service held for family of eight killed in mass shooting Mihir Zaveri http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Service-planned-in-Houston-for-victims-in-mass-6448682.php August 17, 2015 Houston Chronicle August 17, 2015 August 17, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150817203802/http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Service-planned-in-Houston-for-victims-in-mass-6448682.php live Perpetrator David Ray Conley III (born December 29, 1966),Dane Schiller Susan Carroll Lauren Caruba Lomi Kriel http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Reports-Five-children-three-adults-shot-dead-in-6433574.php Suspect charged with capital murder in death of 6 children, 2 adults Houston Chronicle August 9, 2015 August 9, 2015 age 48, was identified as the main suspect. He was reportedly a former boyfriend of Jackson, with whom he fathered Nathaniel Jackson, one of the slain children.http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/children-adults-shot-dead-texas-home-report-article-1.2319619 Texas man kills ex who once dubbed him 'best father in the whole world,' her husband, 6 kids: deputies New York Daily News August 10, 2015 August 10, 2015 August 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150809154924/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/children-adults-shot-dead-texas-home-report-article-1.2319619 live Prior to the shooting, Conley had an extensive criminal record dating as far back as 1988, including arrests for domestic violence, DUI, and drug possession. His latest charge was assault, relating to a July 28, 2015, incident where he allegedly bashed Valerie Jackson's head repeatedly against a refrigerator. The case was pending at the time of the shooting. He had previously been arrested and charged in 2000 and 2013 for being violent towards Jackson. Conley was said to have been physically abusive towards her and jealous of Dwayne Jackson. According to Valerie Jackson's brother, Earl Yanske, he suffered from bipolar disorder. At the time of the shooting, Conley had an estranged wife, Vernessa Conley, whom he was also abusive toward.http://www.click2houston.com/news/estranged-wife-of-david-conley-speaks-out/34624838 Anoushah Rasta Estranged wife of David Conley speaks out KPRC-TV August 9, 2015 August 10, 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151023073808/http://www.click2houston.com/news/estranged-wife-of-david-conley-speaks-out/34624838 October 23, 2015 According to his criminal history, Conley had a history of faking mental illnesses to get himself out of legal troubles.http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Suspect-in-mass-shooting-faked-earlier-psych-tests-6822123.php Brian Rogers Suspect in mass shooting faked earlier psych tests Houston Chronicle February 10, 2016 November 10, 2017 November 11, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171111095300/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Suspect-in-mass-shooting-faked-earlier-psych-tests-6822123.php live Legal proceedings Though he did not appear in court, Conley was charged with three counts of capital murder and had his bond denied. He was held in Harris County Jail. Prosecutors announced that they are likely seeking a death sentence. In February 2016, Conley's lawyer indicated they would seek a mental disability defense. On October 7, 2021, Conley was convicted in the shooting and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.https://apnews.com/article/texas-houston-shootings-bf9cb385ea41eb9377b1bac123fae13a Texas man gets life term in shooting deaths of family of 8 Associated Press October 7, 2021 October 8, 2021 October 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211007224840/https://apnews.com/article/texas-houston-shootings-bf9cb385ea41eb9377b1bac123fae13a live The prosecution had dropped their pursuit of a death sentence after conceding that Conley was mentally disabled.Campion Steve 2021-10-04 Man accused of killing 6 kids in family massacre won't face death in Harris County https://abc13.com/david-conley-mass-murder-in-spring-texas-6-children-killed-northwest-harris-county-slayings/11080463/ 2022-04-02 ABC13 Houston en 2022-04-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20220402145024/https://abc13.com/david-conley-mass-murder-in-spring-texas-6-children-killed-northwest-harris-county-slayings/11080463/ live He has been incarcerated at the W.J. Estelle Unit in Huntsville as of January 2025. Aftermath Hours after the shooting, Conley was contacted by Jackson's brother, to whom he confessed to the familicide after being asked if he killed Jackson.Confessed Texas killer David Conley calmly admitted murders to victim's brother; DA says death penalty is 'no-brainer' http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/texas-man-david-conley-calmly-admitted-murders-phone-call-article-1.2320380 August 10, 2015 New York Daily News August 16, 2015 August 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150812232953/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/texas-man-david-conley-calmly-admitted-murders-phone-call-article-1.2320380 live However, during a jailhouse interview, he recanted his confession and then claimed he was "fed up" with how Valerie and Dwayne Jackson, Sr. were raising his son and their children, who he helped raise. He also claimed the entire family was being disrespectful towards him. Conley allegedly began preparations for the familicide sometime after noticing the children's behavior problems. He purchased the gun used in the shooting, three magazines of ammunition, and six handcuffs.Accused killer David Conley's chilling jailhouse interview: 'I love my son to death' http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/accused_killer_david_conleys_c.html August 12, 2015 Gulf Live August 16, 2015 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024202/http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/accused_killer_david_conleys_c.html deadHouston mass killing suspect: My kids 'were growing up to be monsters' http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-mass-killing-suspect-My-kids-were-6438799.php Matt Levin August 11, 2015 Houston Chronicle August 16, 2015 August 14, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150814220225/http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-mass-killing-suspect-My-kids-were-6438799.php live On September 28, Conley requested for a visit by New Black Panther Party leader Quanell X, which was granted. During the meeting, he reportedly confessed to Quanell X and shared details of the familicide to him. Quanell X allegedly became disgusted and cut the meeting short in anger.Quanell X describes meeting with David Conley http://www.fox26houston.com/news/25944122-story September 28, 2015 Fox 26 Houston October 10, 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083029/http://www.fox26houston.com/news/25944122-story March 4, 2016 See also 2014 Harris County shooting, a shooting that occurred in northern Harris County, near Spring References Texas Category:2010s crimes in Texas Category:2015 mass shootings in the United States Category:2015 in Houston Category:Child filicides in the United States Category:August 2015 crimes in the United States Category:Child murder in Texas Category:Crimes in Harris County, Texas Category:Deaths by firearm in Texas Category:Familicides in the United States Category:Mass shootings in Texas Category:2015 mass murders Category:Mass murders in Texas Category:2010s mass murders in the United States Category:Mass shootings involving semi-automatic pistols in the United States Category:Attacks on residential buildings in the United States Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in Texas Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2015 Category:Shootouts in the United States